Taylor Swift unveils ‘The Fate of Ophelia’ music video: Every reference and Easter egg decoded

Taylor Swift’s latest music video, "The Fate of Ophelia", has officially dropped online, following its exclusive cinema debut during The Official Release Party of a Showgirl. The video, rich with symbolic visuals, continues Swift’s tradition of hiding detailed Easter eggs for devoted fans.

In the video, Swift appears in a cream-coloured dress and later in a red sequined gown, weaving together cinematic storytelling with references to her real life. Among the many clues, fans spotted nods to her fiancé, NFL player Travis Kelce. Swift catches a football, displays the number 87 on a hotel door, and includes a black-and-white photo of Kelce on a vanity mirror — all released on his 36th birthday.

The singer also ties the project back to her Eras Tour, featuring former dancers Raphael Thomas and Kevin Scheitzback in choreographed sequences. The video’s closing scene shows Swift in a bathtub, echoing both Shakespeare’s tragic Ophelia and her own post-tour rituals, when she said she relaxed with baths after performances.

Several props reference songs from The Life of a Showgirl album, including a film clapboard that reads “Sequins are forever, starring Kitty,” and an Oscar statuette on the bathroom floor, a nod to lyrics from "Wi$h Li$t". Another hidden detail shows a neighbour carrying a small dog, referencing "Actually Romantic", Swift’s track believed to address Charli XCX.

The video even hints at Sabrina Carpenter, who collaborated with Swift on the album’s title track. One sequence mirrors Carpenter’s theatrical Grammy Awards performance, reinforcing the duo’s creative connection.

Swift confirmed during the film’s premiere that she baked the sourdough bread featured in the video herself, calling the shoot “a really important day” because, as she joked, “My bread is a star.”